Dancehall Reggae artist Vybz Kartel has been convicted of murder. In a high-profile trial under heavy security, Kartel, whose real name is Adidja Palmer, and three of the four co-defendants were found guilty of killing, Clive “Lizard” Williams, in a dispute over missing gun(s).

The Verdict

The verdict returned 10-1 as follows:

Adidja Palmer – GUILTY

Shawn Campbell – GUILTY

Kahira Jones – GUILTY

Andre St John – GUILTY

Shane Williams – Not GUILTY

Defense Lawyer Threatens Appeal

Kartel’s defense lawyer Tom Tavares-Finson called the prosecution’s case against his client “dishonest” citing missing witness statements and evidence CD. After the verdict, where Vybez and co-defendants seemed surprised, Tavares-Finson said he would appeal the verdict.

Prior Murder Case against Kartel

This is the 2nd murder trial against Kartel. In last year’s (2013) murder trial, Kartel and two other co-defendants were “exonerated” after prosecutors failed to produce evidence to support allegations that the trio killed businessman Barrington “Bossy” Burton in 2011, and the government witness failed to show. However, Kartel was not released because of the 2nd (recent) murder trial pending.

Juror Arrested in 10-1 Verdict

In something you see in mob movies, a juror at the Vybez Kartel murder trial was taken into custody on allegations bribery. News reaching Yowlink wa that the juror approached another, offering a bribe in exchange for a not guilty verdict

Aftermath

The majority of people “polled” or who commented in Jamaica, the United States, Canada, and UK, felt this was a just verdict and some expressed happiness that Jamaica’s justice system might have taken a micro-step towards improvement.

On Monday, news hit Jamaica, the Caribbean, North America, the UK, and the world that the creator of the first fully-computerized Dancehall Reggae “riddim” (rhythm), “Sleng Teng”, Wayne Smith, had passed away at the Kingston Public Hospital (KPH) in Kingston, Jamaica.

Wayne Smith (nicknamed Wayne “Sleng Teng” Smith) recorded the first song on the riddim in 1985 called “Unda Mi Sleng Teng“. It was an immediate hit and what followed were a barrage of songs recorded in 1985 and beyond.

Vybez Kartel, if not guilty on a technicality (key witness cannot be found), may still not go free because he’s to be held until 2nd murder trial later this year. The dancehall reggae artist, born Adidja Palmer, was held on separate murder charges and all indication is that he will not be found guilty on the current charge due to the fact that the key witness may be in hiding, or cannot be found.

Artist Buju Banton, who was convicted of 3 charges related to drugs (cocaine), has been sentenced to ten (10) years in a maximum security prison by the United States federal court in Tampa, Florida. After that, he’s supposed to be on 5 years probation.

You may recall that Buju was convicted right after winning and accepting his first Grammy award. Buju, now 37, would get out when he’s 47 years old. David Markus, Buju’s attorney begged for leniency but it seems there was none offered.